By Associated Press
Birmingham, AL – A Texas man has been sentenced to two years in prison and three years of probation for transporting illegal immigrants for profit. 41-year-old Martin Barron Alvarado was sentenced by U-S- District Judge Sharon Blackburn Thursday. The Baytown, Texas resident was stopped by Hoover police last May while driving a fifteen passenger van. He told police the van was owned by Recondor Tours and said he worked for the company as a driver. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents determined that all 15 passengers were in the country illegally and they were later deported. Alvarado had received a warning in February 2005 when he was stopped outside Gulfport, Mississippi while driving a van with fourteen illegal aliens on board. Alvarado said he had been driving for Recondor Tours for about 15 months, making about three trips a month and being paid about $500 per trip.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)